Chapter 11: Punctuation
End Marks, Abbreviations, and Commas
End Marks

Used to indicate the purpose of the
sentence
◦ A statement, or declarative sentence, is
followed by a period.
◦ A question, or interrogative sentence, is
followed by a question mark.
◦ An exclamation, or exclamatory sentence, is
followed by an exclamation point.
◦ A command or request, also known as a
imperative sentence, is followed by either a
period or an exclamation point.
Abbreviations
A shortened form of a word or a word
group.
 Periods are used with some abbreviations,
but not all.

◦ Pay close attention to when to use them and
when not to
AbbreviationsPersonal Names

Abbreviated names only if the person is
commonly known by the abbreviated
name
Example: Ida B. Wells
T. H. White
M.F.K. Fisher
AbbreviationsTitles

Abbreviate social titles when used before the full
name or before the first name alone
Examples: Mr. Tom Evans

Mrs. Dupont
Abbreviate civil and military titles used before full
names OR before initials and last names
◦ Spell title out if used before last names alone
Examples: Sen. Kay Hutchinson
Senator Hutchinson

Abbreviate titles and academic degrees that
follow proper names
Examples: Ira Knox, Jr.
Peter Garcia, M.D.
AbbreviationsAgencies and Organizations

Acronyms are formed from the first letter
(or first few letters) of a series of words.
◦ Written without periods
◦ Spell out the first use of the name, then
abbreviate the names by their commonly
known acronyms.
Example: My sister works for the National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). She is
compiling data for one of the NIMH’s
behavior studies.
AbbreviationsGeographical Terms
Spell out names of states and other
political units
 Abbreviate names in tables, notes, or
bibliographies (works cited)
 In text, spell out every word in an
address, but you can abbreviate on an
envelope, tables, and notes

◦ Two-letter state abbreviations without periods are
used only when the zip code is given.
AbbreviationsTime

Abbreviate era designations, such as A.D.
and B.C.
A.D.= anno Domini “in the year of the Lord”
◦ precedes the specific year number
◦ follows the name of a century
Examples: A.D. 476
sixth century A.D.
B.C.= “before Christ”
◦ follows the specific year number
◦ follows the name of a century
Examples: 700 B.C.
twelfth century B.C.
AbbreviationsTime, continued

Spell out the names of months and days
◦ Abbreviate them in tables, notes, and works
cited

Abbreviate A.M. and P.M.
◦ The abbreviation follows the numerals
indicating the time
AbbreviationsUnits of Measurement

Units of measurement abbreviations are
usually written without periods
◦ EXCEPT when using inch= in.
 Used so it is not confused with the word “in”
In text, spell out the names of the units of
measurement
 These can be abbreviated in tables and
notes when they follow a number

CommasItems in a Series

Use commas to separate items in a series
◦ Example: All my cousins, aunts, and uncles
came to the party on Saturday.

If items are joined by words like and, or,
or nor, do not use commas to separate
them
 Example: I need tacks and nails and a hammer.
CommasItems in a Series

Short independent clauses may be
separated by commas
 Example: The engine roared, the wheels spun, and a
cloud of dust swirled behind the sports car.

Use commas to separate two or more
adjectives preceding a noun.
 Example: I study in our small dining room.
CommasIndependent Clauses

Use a comma between the following
words that join independent clauses.
and
but
for
nor
or
so
yet
 Example: He is an accomplished actor, yet he is very
modest.
CommasNonessential Clauses and Phrases

Use commas to offset nonessential
subordinate clauses and nonessential
participle phrases.
 Nonessential clause or participle phrase adds
information that is not necessary to the main idea
of the sentence
 Example: Eileen Murry, who is at the top of her
class, want to go to medical school.
 Example: Eileen Murry wants to go to medical
school.
CommasIntroductory Elements

Use commas after introductory elements
◦ Use a comma to set off a mild exclamation at
the beginning of a sentence. Also, set off
other introductory words with a comma as
well.
 Example: Why, you’re Andy’s brother, aren’t you?
 Example: Yes, she is going to the cafeteria.
◦ Use a comma after an introductory participle
phrase
 Example: Switching on the flashlight, the ranger led
the way down the path to the caves.
CommasIntroductory Elements, continued
◦ Use a comma after two or more introductory
prepositional phrases or after a long one
 Example: Near the door to the garage, you will find
hooks for the car keys.
 You do not need to use a comma after one short
prepositional phrase
 Example: At our house we share all the work.
◦ Use a comma after an introductory adverb
clause
 Example: If you see smoke, you know there is a fire.
CommasInterrupters

Use commas to set off elements that
interrupt the sentence.
 Example: His guitar, according to him, once
belonged to Bo Diddley.
 Example: Elizabeth Pena, my favorite actress, stars in
the movie I rented.
 Example: I did that exercise last night, Ms. Ryan.
 Example: Of course, I am glad that he called me
about the extra movie tickets.
CommasConventional Uses of Commas

Use commas to separate items in dates
and addresses.
 Example: After Tuesday, November 24, 2009, address
all orders to Emeryville, CA 94608.

Use a comma after the salutation of a
personal letter and after the closing of
any letter.
 Example: Dear Mr. Anne,

Use commas to set off abbreviations
when they follow a persons name.
 Example: Please welcome Allen Davis, Jr. to the class.
CommasUnnecessary Commas
Make sure that every comma you are
using has a specific job.
 Do not use a sentence that is clear
without it or that does not need it.
